UAE enforces strict immigration checks for passengers

UAE Implements Stricter Immigration Checks for Travellers

Chennai: If you are flying to the UAE, ensure that you have at least ₹60,000 in your bank account or a credit card and a return ticket, as immigration scrutiny has been made stringent at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports in an attempt to prevent people from misusing tourist visas.

Sources said that passengers, especially first-time travellers, landing from airports in Tamil Nadu and Kerala are being randomly scrutinised. These measures have been put in place to identify individuals who might misuse their tourist visas by staying in the UAE illegally, which has been a growing concern for the authorities.

Travellers to Dubai and Abu Dhabi are facing delayed check-in at the city airport after the UAE deported a few passengers for not carrying return tickets or enough money for their stay with a tourist visa. This has caused significant delays and inconvenience, particularly for those who may not have been aware of these new requirements.

Airlines have also started to screen solo travellers, including women, in the age group of 20-35 with tourist visas and are double-checking before boarding them to prevent passengers from getting deported. This age group has been identified as a higher risk category for visa misuse. Airlines bear the responsibility of returning deported passengers, which has prompted them to enforce stricter pre-boarding checks.

The UAE has tightened the implementation of immigration norms after they found that travellers land up without money or accommodation and sometimes misuse the 96-hour transit visa and stay on. This misuse has prompted the authorities to adopt a more stringent approach to ensure that tourists do not overstay their visas or enter the country under false pretenses.

Basheer Ahmed of Chennai Metro Travels said, “The checks are happening because it has been found that people are entering the UAE for jobs using tourist visas. Some of them cancel their return tickets and stay on. There is no problem for genuine tourists, family, and group travellers. They are checking first-time travellers many of who do not have 100 dirhams but would have travelled on a tourist visa.” Ahmed’s comments highlight the fact that while these measures are in place, they mainly target those who might have ulterior motives, rather than genuine tourists.

He said that check-in at the airport takes time as low-cost carriers are checking the passengers to see if they meet the immigration check norms to avoid deportation. This additional layer of security means that passengers should arrive at the airport well in advance to ensure they have sufficient time for these checks.

Sources say that at least 10 people have been deported to India for travelling without a return ticket or proof of accommodation. This underscores the importance of complying with all travel requirements to avoid the inconvenience and embarrassment of being deported.

Sriharan Balan of Madura Travels said, “Tourists are not affected. A large number of them are travelling to the UAE. Immigration is checking for two things: people entering the UAE for jobs on tourist visas and the Kuruvi movement. A UAE visa is issued by multiple emirates. They say that a visa issued by Abu Dhabi cannot be used for landing in Dubai, and vice versa. So a lot of scrutiny is going on.” Balan’s insights suggest that while the primary target is those misusing visas for employment, the measures can also impact those involved in illegal activities such as smuggling (referred to as the Kuruvi movement).

Though summer is not the usual travel season, several people have been travelling for holidays to the Middle East. The flights are full, and the fares are too high because of the high demand. Despite the increased scrutiny, the high volume of tourists indicates that the UAE remains a popular destination, necessitating a balance between security measures and facilitating genuine travel.